More or less yes. The item system is expensive and if you can't manage to kill any heroes then you're pretty much completely fucked since even the most basic "good" items cost at least a little faction that you earn from hero kills. The idea is sound but it isn't executed very well since it is extremely hero kill dependent as a whole.

The idea originated from Tides of Blood, the first TFT AoS map. Tough Dota i popular enough that everything is labeled Dota clones, IT actually isnt.

AotZ specializes not only in Hero, but cost of units and other additonal heroes as well. Most is taken place from Hero kills, but then again what AoS isnt based on heroes killing other heroes. Dota Thrive on nothing BUT hero kills